Chapter 120 Chapter 120 May 15th, Ferdinand II...
Michele Amari, Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, was the "Head of Mission" sent by the Provisional Committee of Sicily.
He could not be called "ambassador" because that was the highest title in official diplomatic relations between two countries, and Sicily was far from being a country, no matter how much they hoped to gain international recognition; and this was the primary goal of their trip to Paris and their colleagues' trip to London.
In his twenties, when he was still a passionate young man, Michele joined the Carbonari, a secret sect dedicated to the unification of Italy (later replaced by the more well-known Young Italy organization led by Mazzini); after the failed uprising of 1820, his father was executed, and Michele was "mercifully" imprisoned for fourteen years by the Bourbon dynasty because of his young age and not being the main culprit.
Clearly, these fourteen years of imprisonment had not transformed him into a docile and obedient servant, as Ferdinand II had anticipated. In fact, Michel Amari, who had once devoted himself to the cause, had merely frozen his passion, and he sought more effective means of uniting the people.
However, his covert efforts were soon discovered by Bourbon spies, forcing him to flee to Paris in 1842. There, Michel managed to eke out a living through literary work, such as editing and translation. He devoted even more time and energy to appealing and promoting Italy's plight, pleading with those with insight. It was during this time that he met Alexandre Dumas and others in the salons of cafés.
There is no evidence to suggest that the latter's The Count of Monte Cristo was inspired by the unfortunate exile, but there is also no evidence to suggest that it was not.
In 1848, Michele Amari, delighted by his homeland's rise, returned to Sicily, ready to unleash his ambitions. However, in a dramatic twist of fate, Sicily again begged him to serve as an ambassador to Paris, believing that no one could be more suitable, more cultured, or more passionate. Thus, by some strange twist of fate, Michele embarked on the same path he had once taken in exile.
Elio had already gotten detailed background information on him, just as Michelle had gotten detailed information on Elio.
While the assassin had great respect for the ambassador (the imprisonment, exile and Jesus-like suffering had not in the slightest extinguished the blazing flame of ideals in Michel Amari's heart; on the contrary, the rich knowledge and rich experiences had further polished Michel, making him shine with wisdom and ideals), the ambassador also had great respect for Elio.
As a special envoy for the Brotherhood and the Vongola, Elio possesses a humble personality, quite the opposite of his distinguished background; he can even be described as taciturn. But that doesn't mean his contributions are insignificant. In fact, if it weren't for Elio's escort along the way, they might not have even reached France, and even if they did, they would have been a defeated force.
He was observant, agile, experienced, and possessed amazing insight and reaction speed. Occasionally, Michelle would even feel a chill in her spine at the thought of "what if he were an enemy", but then she realized that Elio was a steadfast ally more than anyone else, and immediately she felt a huge sense of relief and joy brought by the sense of security.
Furthermore, Michelle learned that Elio was the assassin who assassinated the Governor on January 12! Although Elio denied that, saying, "There's no evidence linking me to that incident," this made him appear cautious and trustworthy.
So when Elio barged in and suggested what he "should" do, Minister Michel took it to heart. He put on his monocle, leaned forward, and asked with concern, "What happened to the doctor? I thought he was quite dedicated."
Elio wanted to tell them directly that he saw the doctor bleeding a patient. If Elio hadn't known he was a doctor, he would have thought it was just one of his less skilled colleagues! Even assassins wouldn't use such a torturous method to kill someone. But in this era, Elio probably wouldn't be able to get them to understand that.
"I'm afraid he's doing his best to kill them," Elio said. "From what I've seen, he doesn't mean any harm, but his knowledge is so limited that we can't use him."
The consultant couldn't help but exclaim, "But he's the best doctor we can find!"
"Thank you, Carlo. We'll think about it," Michelle said. "Elio, as you can see, we can't find a better doctor to replace him. Do you have any suggestions?"
"I'm the 'better doctor,'" Elio said.
The envoys scattered around the room couldn't help but show surprise, but they politely kept silent and listened to him continue. "I helped the priest in the monastery to care for hundreds of patients. They had suffered burns and amputations, not to mention this little typhoid fatigue."
But the delegation looked worried. Michelle explained the reason for their concern. "You're going to take care of them yourself? We can't afford to lose another person! Especially someone like you..."
Elio said nothing. He simply stared at Michel, but his attitude was clear enough. The ambassador remained silent for a moment, then finally removed the monocle from his nose, lowered his head, clasped it in his left hand, and pinched his brow with his right hand, helplessly.
"Okay, I'll do as you say." Michel sighed. "Bruno, go fire the doctor, but don't be too rude. Give him the salary he deserves politely. Elio, please take care of the patient, but please take care of yourself. We can't afford to lose you."
"Please take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself," Elio comforted him. "Our mission has just begun."
Michelle smiled. "When my country no longer needs me, I might stop and rest. It's too early now. When do you think our two friends will be back on their feet?"
"Three days at the fastest, a week at the slowest," said Elio.
After a brief discussion, the delegation decided to stay in Lyon for three days. But just as they made this decision and Elio was about to leave the room to see the patient, Bruno, who had just gone out to dismiss the doctor, came back in a hurry, waving a newspaper in his hand.
"What happened?" Michelle asked authoritatively.
Bruno's hands were shaking, but he quickly handed the newspaper to Michel. Elio glanced at the headline and his eyes widened immediately.
On May 15, Ferdinand II launched a coup d'état.
His troops bombarded the pro-constitution civilian districts of Naples. He forcibly dissolved the newly elected parliament, abolished the constitution, and restored the monarchy. News of this disastrous move across Europe.
But no matter how much they roared, nothing could be louder, more terrified, or more enraged than the silence now lingering in a small hotel room in Lyon, France. Their earlier anxiety shifted, and anger and panic became their fuel, driving them to leave immediately for Paris. They had to secure a meeting and a favorable response from Paris as quickly as possible. If they waited any longer, Ferdinand II's cannonballs would likely reach Sicily!
The sick student vaguely heard the clatter of a suitcase against the wooden stairs and the sound of hurried footsteps. Just as he was half-dead wondering, "What's going on?" his door opened. A familiar figure approached him, and a cold towel was placed on his forehead, causing him to sigh softly.
"What happened?" the student asked.
He subconsciously reached out his hand, then remembered that he was a patient and quickly hid it back under the quilt. But before he could do that, his hand was held warmly.
"Don't worry, it's just that Michelle and the others decided to leave first," Elio said. "All you need to do now is rest, Filippo. You're still young, and you'll get better soon."
The same reassurance soon followed in the groom's room. "You're strong, just caught a little snowstorm," Elio said, "you'll be well again soon." He sounded so certain about this that both patients believed him.
It was hard to say whether the reason they recovered so quickly as he said was due to their faith, or because Elio did not bleed them, catch leeches to suck their blood, or use any inexplicable knife techniques on them, but simply took care of them, ensured they rested, and fed them warm and nutritious food.
A week later, Elio arrives in Paris with student leader Filippo (the coachman returns to the streets).
The delegation staying in the luxurious hotel finally waited for their return and smiled happily, "Finally, some good news!"
The student, who had been excitedly planning how to "chat" about the current situation in Italy at theaters, cafes, and clubs, immediately stopped laughing when he heard this. "What bad news?"
"Well, first of all, Ferdinand II..."
"He's reneging on his word and abolishing the very constitution he approved! And he's inhumanely firing on unarmed civilians!" the student said. "I've heard all that. Better not tell me his troops are in Sicily."
"Well, bad news for France," said Bruno, the butler. "They haven't officially replied to our communication yet. Didn't you see the way the chief of protocol looked at our letters of appointment as if they were ridiculous?"
"What? What's so funny about that?!"
"Okay, okay," Elio said, pushing their backs and urging them to keep their voices down and talk in their rooms. "Let's go see Minister Amari first and see what he says."
In the hotel room, Michel Amari clearly considered their return good news. He happily stood up and hugged Elio and Filippo separately. But after hearing the latter's impatient questions, the usually calm Michel actually began to pace anxiously around the room.
"Before we left, the French Foreign Minister was Alphonse de Lamartine," he explained. "He was an idealist and a poet, full of sympathy for peoples everywhere—especially people like us. We'd had coffee together and talked about current affairs, and I thought I could use that to build a relationship with him."
"Well, not now?" the student asked.
"Things have changed, Philippo!" Michel took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his face. "Just as we were crossing the snowy mountain pass, Paris reorganized its cabinet. Jules Bastide became the Foreign Minister. I hear he's not someone to be trifled with."
But what really disappointed the minister was probably the tragic fact that they had to plead in every possible way, hoping to impress a "foreign minister" with words such as ideals, freedom and nation, and seek a little humanitarian protection for the dying Sicily.
Even if it were just to get the French government to recognize their sovereignty! In that case, what Sicily would face would not be a seemingly reasonable "suppression" but a brutal invasion. But after all, why would France go against the Bourbon dynasty for such a small place like Sicily? Moreover, the bloodline of the Bourbon dynasty in Naples, although a bit distant, is also part of the French royal family!
Take, for example, Louis XVI, who was guillotined. He was from the House of Bourbon. May God bless Ferdinand II to share the same fate!
Michelle had probably realized, deep down, that this mission was doomed to failure. But he still clung to a glimmer of hope—just like the other members of the delegation—could they just turn around and return home like beaten dogs? If only they still had a sliver of hope... just a sliver of hope...
In June 1848, the June Uprising broke out in France.
Over 15,000 people were killed (mostly insurgents), and approximately 25,000 were arrested and exiled. The brutality of the incident shocked the whole of Europe. The "Republic" in the Second French Republic was no longer a name.
Just as the Sicilian delegation was persistently requesting help and Elio was using all the connections he could find in Paris, the cold autumn finally arrived.
In September 1848, a Bourbon army of more than 20,000 people crossed the strait and marched into Messina.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: (Messina is located in the northeast corner of Sicily, across the sea from mainland Italy)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
